On November 2, 2019, the Mind Body & Soul Surfing Club will host the 5th Annual Recovery Run 5K and 10K run/walk event at Harbor Park in Baldwin Park. Proceeds from the event directly benefit the recovery community in Central Florida.

In a 2017 report prepared for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, nearly 44,000 Floridians were admitted to publicly funded substance use treatment facilities.  More than 15,000 of those people were treated for opiates, including heroin.

This year’s Recovery Run will raise money for Turning Point of Central Florida, Inc., and Mind Body and Soul Recovery Foundation. Both are 501(c)3 organizations that have been supporting the recovery community in Central Florida. Turning Point provides quality and affordable services to individuals and families who are affected by mental health and substance abuse disorders. The organization offers programs that are tailored to each individual.

The Recovery Run has a direct impact on helping people in recovery. Last year’s run raised more than $15,000 that went directly towards outpatient treatment programs, family support programs and relapse prevention.

In 2013, John Foster, one of the Mind, Body and Soul Surfing Club founders, lost his son. He relapsed, overdosed on drugs and died after a year and a half in recovery. “Addiction is a disease that affects the entire family. It doesn’t discriminate either,” said John. “The Recovery Run sheds light on addiction and the hope found in recovery. While death is the reality of addiction, life is the reality of recovery.”

The Recovery Run is open to all ages. Same-day registration begins at 7 a.m. and race start time is slated for 8:30 a.m. Participants can register in advance at https://mbsrecoveryrun.com/.